Parallels -- 8GB or 16GB of Ram

Hi,
I am getting a new macbook pro which I will use for personal purposes and work. In my current computer, I have Windows installed with Bootcamp. The heaviest lifting I do is in excel where I work in very large excel models, sometimes several at the same time.
I am purchasing a new baseline MBP 15" and with the faster computer I am hoping to run parallels so I don't have to restart every time I want to switch OS. Would you recommend gettig 8GB of ram or 16GB of ram?
Thanks so much for your help!

bdstein33 wrote:
Hi,
...I am purchasing a new baseline MBP 15" and with the faster computer I am hoping to run parallels so I don't have to restart every time I want to switch OS. Would you recommend gettig 8GB of ram or 16GB of ram?
Thanks so much for your help!
The thing to keep in mind is that with Bootcamp, Windows got to use all the resources of your Mac; it didn't have to compete with the Mac OS for CPU cycles and RAM since Windows was all that was running. With Parallels (or other software that supports virtual machines, such as VMware Fusion), Windows is running inside of the Mac OS, which in your case would be Mavericks. Both operating systems are using resources such as RAM, as is the virtualizing software, and you have to make sure there's enough to go around.
So, the short answer is get as much RAM as you can, since, with the rMBP you can't add more later.

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R835 p81: 8GB or 16GB max RAM?

Is there any chance my laptop can possibly support more than 8GB ram? It came with 6GB preinstalled, in Toshiba specs it is "8GB max", but I guess RAM controller is in CPU, and datasheet of my CPU (i5-2435M) says 16GB max. What else can restrict it to 8GB here? How my laptop will react if I'll try to replace 2GB RAM card with a 6GB or 8GB one?

The i5-2435M will support up to 16GB 1333Mhz DDR3 RAM, so you can upgrade to 16GB and it will run fine.
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8GB or 16GB in using with Parallels 10

Hi there,
I plan to buy my first Macbook (Macbook Pro Retina). Last years I only used Windows based PCs and notebooks. So I have an important question on using a virtual environment on the Macbook. Since I'm come from Windows 7, I have to build a "bridge" for some of my old applications, that I still want to use some time. Later - in a year or so - I plan to leave my virtual windows environment nearly completely.
What will I do with my MBP?
1st: 40% of my work is writing. I think, I will use Office 365 (I bought it some months ago).
2nd: 30% of my work is graphics based. I'm also a designer and photographer, so I work on Adobe CS5/CC.
3rd: 20% of my work - eventually (sometimes) - will be done in Unity3D (not 3D-Modelling!).
3rd: 10% of my work will be done in Excel, Powerpoint and Surfing.
At this time I own Adobe CS5 and have to use it on a virtual environment, such as Parallels Desktop 10. But this is only for a limited time period - a year or so. After then, I get Adobe CC, to install it natively on MAC OS X. Also I work in a program, called articy:draft - for game design. It is a windows program, so I have to use it on my virtual environment - all time!
In the beginning, I use the virtual environment for my "fall back - use" of the Creative Suite - only Photoshop and InDesign and definitly articy:draft. Later - after I purchased Adobe CC, I only use this virtual environment for my game design software articy:draft and some testing.
In the last days, I checked the memory needs in my windows systems. Since articy:draft uses not much memory, Adobes Software does. Sure, I can set a rule for the maximum memory usage - in photoshop, for example. But that does not help me to understand what this would mean on a Macbook (e.i. with Parallels). Can I work good enough with Photoshop and InDesign for the next few months? Can I work better, If I use Adobe CC natively? 8GB of system memory may be enough for me? Or is it a "must have" to get 16GB memory in my case? I ask this, because I have to pay attention to your money.
Could some of you, give me some advise? Did some of you have experience in using a virtual environment, such as Parallels Desktop, in things like the need for system memory?
Best regards,
Tom
P.S. I plan to purchase a Macbook Pro Retina i5 2,8GHz, 512GB SSD - with 8GB or 16GB system memory.

bdstein33 wrote:
Hi,
...I am purchasing a new baseline MBP 15" and with the faster computer I am hoping to run parallels so I don't have to restart every time I want to switch OS. Would you recommend gettig 8GB of ram or 16GB of ram?
Thanks so much for your help!
The thing to keep in mind is that with Bootcamp, Windows got to use all the resources of your Mac; it didn't have to compete with the Mac OS for CPU cycles and RAM since Windows was all that was running. With Parallels (or other software that supports virtual machines, such as VMware Fusion), Windows is running inside of the Mac OS, which in your case would be Mavericks. Both operating systems are using resources such as RAM, as is the virtualizing software, and you have to make sure there's enough to go around.
So, the short answer is get as much RAM as you can, since, with the rMBP you can't add more later.

I have MacBook Pro 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch DDR3) Early-2011 and I want to upgrade RAM, What is the MAX RAM can I get it 8GB or 16GB?

I have MacBook Pro 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 (15-inch DDR3) Early-2011 and I want to upgrade RAM, What is the MAX RAM can I get it 8GB or 16GB?

Maximum Memory 16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots 2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

I have brought a 17'' MacBook Pro 2.5ghz core 2 duo 2gb. Model A1261. It seems I can upgrade to either 8gb or 16gb ram! But since It's 2006'ish, I just want some advice on the best ram that would work for a good price. Thanks :)

I have brought a 17'' MacBook Pro 2.5ghz core 2 duo 2gb. Model A1261. It seems I can upgrade to either 8gb or 16gb ram! But since It's 2006'ish, I just want some advice on the best ram that would work for a good price. Thanks :)

Keiran420 wrote:
8 gb will do I guess
Based on the information that you have supplied, you have a Early or Late 2008 MBP. Maximum RAM that it will accept is 6 GB with the following specifications: 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM.
The best sources for Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.
Ciao.

8gb versus 16gb RAM in Macbook Pro

Using a Quad core Macbook Pro in 64bit mode and wondering if its worth putting 16gb of ram in this machine? Will Logic performance be lightyears beyond 8gb?
Anyone tried this?
Cheerz

Hi
Yep, Apple's tech info may state that 8G is the maximum, but...they often do not update the info to reflect the 'true situation':
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3_133 3MHz_SDRAM
For example, Apple say the max RAM for my MacBookPro is 4g, yet (as long as I run OSX.6.3 or higher), it works fine with 8G in it.
CCT

Trying to upgrade RAM from 8GB to 16GB

I purchased a brand new HP:
»HP Pavilion 17-f022ds Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR)
It has 8GB RAM and im trying to upgrade to 16. Its a 64bit operating system so I know it can be and you can also purchase this laptop with 16GB of RAM. My issue is that there is no RAM cover on the bottom of the laptop like normal HP's ive owned before. Whats up with this? Im a soldier and about to deploy again and im just trying to have a faster laptop and no one has been able to help me. I would have bought the 16GB Ram laptop if I saw it at the time I bought mine.

Based on the HP Pavilion 17 Notebook PC HP Pavilion 15 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide for your computer, there may only be one SODIMM slot and it may only support up to 8GB of RAM. It is also possible that the SODIMM slot(s) are not user accessible.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
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Should I upgrade to 8GB or 16GB of memory (RAM)?

I've had my laptop since November of last year but lately it seems to be getting slow and constantly loading for no reason. I was thinking of upgrading the processor, but I read that I will void the warranty if I do that so my next step would be to upgrade the RAM. I currently have 6GB installed, however only 5.48GB is usable and almost 2GB is being used by my system with barely anything open. I've had this problem before and I reset my computer to factory default settings, but it seems to not have helped. So I was wondering if I should upgrade the memory to 8GB or 16GB? How much would it help to speed things up on my computer? I would really appreciate the help. Please let me know. Thank you. Here are my computer specs:
dv6z Quad Ed
• dark umber
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• AMD Quad-Core A8-3500M Accelerated Processor (2.4GHz/1.5GHz, 4MB L2 Cache)
• AMD Radeon(TM) Discrete-Class Graphics [HDMI, VGA]
• FREE Upgrade to 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 640GB 5400RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• No Additional Office Software
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Does sound like a less than optimized OS install & kind of typical of most factory OEM install machines.
I would download the generic Windows 7 install & give it a nice clean install & setup as will be far more rewarding than RAM upgrade.
I run a probook on 3GB for business/work related use & it is enough & the craze for 16GB of ram is simply a waste for 99% of people.
Do a ram test & hard drive test & ifgood think about a clean install.
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Thinkpad x250 RAM 8GB or 16GB

Lenovo Tech Specs on the Thinkpad X250 Memory: Up to 8GB (1 DIMM), DDR3L-1600 PC3-12800 1600 MHz READ AGAIN: Max. 8GB of RAM Lenovo Customize Thinkpad X250 Product to buy: Memory: 16GB PC3-12800 DDR3L (1 SoDIMM) READ AGAIN: You can purchase it with 16GB of RAM Does it support 16GB of RAM or not?

Hi
1. The quote from the official x250 platform specification (PSREF):
Memory: 16GB max / PC3-12800 1600MHz DDR3L, one 204-pin SO-DIMM socket
2. Have a look a big thread about 16 GB memory usage in the x250 here, on the forum board.
What's your answer for your own angry question here and in another threads?

15' Retina MacBook Pro: 8GB or 16GB RAM?

I am looking into buying a 15' Retina MacBook Pro. I am wondering whether or not I should get 16GB of RAM. I would like this computer to last for 4 years. I will do occassional video editing using iMovie, and I will be using iPhoto. Also, I would install Windows 7 using Boot Camp for gaming purposes. I would not use a VM to run windows. Also, for processor upgrades, is the 2.8Ghz worth the $ from the 2.7Ghz? Thanks!

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
For your uses, you can save the money for the 16 GB of RAM and the better processor. The MacBook Pro with Retina display and its default configuration is enough for your uses, as iPhoto and iMovie don't require the same as Aperture and Final Cut Pro. You will be fine with 8 GB of RAM.
Also, Windows 7 will run without any problem with 8 GB of RAM. Just make sure you install a 64-bit Windows version in order to take advantage of the 8 GB of memory. Also, note that the MacBook Pro is not a computer designed to play games as it overheats quickly, so be careful with this, although games will run

Will 16GB of RAM really increase my speed?

Hello, all you MacBook Pro fanatics!
I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro with 8 GB of RAM installed - I bought the Corsair memory from Amazon for under $50 and installed it myself.
Amazon now has a 16GB kit fro Corsair for only $100 - the least expensive price I've found. The only RAM intensive app I really run is Photoshop CS6, but I do keep a lot of apps open at one time (Acrobat Pro X, Outlook, InDesign CS6, Illustrator CS6, Word, Parallels running XP, iTunes at the moment) and I was wondering if the extra RAM would actually help me out.
I'm looking for some advice from people who have already upgraded to 16 GB... can you actually tell a difference?
Any advice would be most welcome.
Clinton

BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE before you install your shiny new 16GB of RAM and restart the Mac!
All modern computers manage their memory using a paged virtual memory scheme. This means setting aside a piece of the hard disk drive where unused portions of the processes are paged out (as you have already found out). Plus Macs incorporate a sleep+hibernate scheme for fast and reliable recovery after the lid is closed.
Paged VM requires setting aside room for at least duplicating the physical RAM, EVEN IF it won't be needed (like you and your humongous gob of 16GB of real RAM), since the OS will want to play safe just in case. Hibernation is independent and knows nothing of the VM; it requires room at least the size of real RAM to copy its contents.
Now that you are going to stuff 16GB in to replace the 8GB it already had, the paging + sleep spaces are going to DOUBLE in size. That means you will see 16GB magically vanish from the amount of free disk space, the instant the Mac boots up fully decked out. So be sure there's enough room available before doing the install.

Second chance: Opt for another different Rmbp configuration 8gb to 16gb

Hi guys, just joined in the communities. A week ago, I got my rmbp which has the base model. Corei7 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage. So I've been thinking if I can send my rmbp back to apple just to have a different configuration. The problem is the 8GB RAM does not seem to be enough for me. I don't know why... Back then, I used Windows laptop which is the MSI GX660 gaming laptop. It has Corei7 1.9GHz, 8GB RAM, 500GB storage(271 for C drive). I didn't have any problem with my previous laptop especially with the RAM. For the RAM, I always open up a browser with 5-9 tabs and itunes, these two with either game or work like MS office, Visual Basic, Dreamweaver, Java. And with that, I've never achieve more than 5GB RAM everytime I checked with my task manager (I even tried to open multiple hardcore games like Skyrim, L.A Noire and Battlefield 3 and thar only reach up to 6GB+ RAM). Same with my RMBP though, I always open up Itunes & Safari with a few tabs, but is always above 90% of the RAM. I used istat menu to monitor all the heat sensor, HDD, CPU&GPU, Connection speed. I don't know what triggers that could eat such large amount of RAM. Not to mention, I haven't even open up my Windows parallels. Even though with just a few 100+ MB left of RAM, I still can run MS office smoothly but not DW, VB or JAVA. I can even hardly explore through my external drive as it takes so long to open up the folder inside it. Ohh and the last time I tried opening up both Ubuntu & Windows VM, it got freezed. And I had to hold down the power button to shut down both VM(s)
So long story short, can I send back my 1 week old Rmbp to apple for a different configuration?
If not, at least give out some info on how to not bottleneck the Rmbp 8GB RAM?
Any information would be appreciated. And sorry if there's any complicated grammar.

One thing first, did you you configure TimeMachine to do backups? If so did you connect TM to an external disk (as should)?
In your described setup I certainly would go for 16GB of RAM. It is easily installed, but within 14 days you can bring back the rmbp and pick another choice.

16gb of ram on hd 3000 gpu

I noticed the Intel HD 3000 GPU scales to 512mb of vram when 8gb is being used, does it scale higher when 16gbs are installed via owc? Is the 16gb of ram going to help the mac mini server encode video faster, or should 8gb be fine? I intend to go all out with a Promise R6 (or another high end thunderbolt drive) and I am updating from a late 2009 mac mini with 8gbs of ram in order to get sata 3, a 7200rpm drive, and thunderport options.

Watch this video, the RAM is in there pretty tight. You should use both your thumbs to get some leverage, if you still can't get them out take the machine into an Apple Store or AASP either will be happy to help.
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac_late_2009_mem_m/
Roger

8GB or 16GB Memory on Macbook Pro w/ Retina?

I'm about to retire my 17" Dell laptop from 2007 and upgrade to the new 15" Macbook Pro w/ Retina. Woo-hoo!
So here's the million dollar question...is it worth it to pay the 200 bucks to upgrade the memory from 8GB to 16GB? I've read that Apple now solders the memory into the computer, so once I pick my memory, I'm stuck.
It's been awhile since I've used a Mac on a day-to-day basis, so I'm fairly unfamiliar with how much memory newer systems eat up. On an average day, I expect that I won't be doing much more than my e-mail on Outlook, surfing the web in Firefox, and doing some work in Word/Excel. For that I figure 8 GB will be more than enough. However, on rare occassions, I might need to fire up Photoshop to do touchups on photos or maybe even a little bit of light editing in Final Cut.
So what do you think? Will 8GB do the trick, or should I suck it up and pay the extra 2 bills to bump it up to 16?

Pay the extra $$$ to get the max RAM your mb supports.
If you're keeping it for long term, then having the extra RAM would be beneficial to you since it's not user upgradeable.
You're coming from a Dell Laptop. Rule of thumb when using windows, the more RAM, the better your computer will run.
Since applications gets more robust when they release a newer version, they tend to be more RAM hungry.
I remember when photoshop was happy with 4GB of RAM. Now they're happier with 8GB of RAM.
It's better ot have it for " Just in case purposes ".
My .02 cents.

Can you install 16gbs of ram in a 2012/2013 non retina macbook pro?

the newest non retina macbook pro on the apple website. the reason im asking is that apple only offers 4gbs and 8gbs. does apple not sell 16gbs of ram on the macbook because of price or does the computer not support it? im getting the 2.9GHz dual-core intel core i7 btw thanks for the help.

According to this usually-reliable source, two @ 8GB will work:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.9- 13-mid-2012-unibody-usb3-specs.html

Parallels -- 8GB or 16GB of Ram

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